Former director of Register of Mesne Conveyance remembered

Thursday

Feb 21, 2013 at 8:20 PM

Those close to Virginia Thornton Hafen remember her as more than a dedicated public servant.

By KIM KIMZEYkim.kimzey@shj.com

Those close to Virginia Thornton Hafen remember her as more than a dedicated public servant.Hafen died Wednesday at age 89. A little more than 19 years ago, she retired as director of Spartanburg County's Office of Register of Mesne Conveyance — now the Office of Register of Deeds.Hafen was the longest-serving county employee before retirement. She worked in the office 46 years and eight months.Hafen's daughter, Joyce Snyder, said she loved her work and the public.“Her work was just her life,” Snyder said.Snyder left home at 18 but remained close to her mother. The most difficult part in accepting her loss is the realization she can no longer dial her mother's telephone number and hear her voice.Snyder remembers her mother as an “exceptional” and “amazing lady” who accomplished much in an age when many women were homemakers and few held leadership positions.“Mom was a trailblazer … at that point in time,” Snyder said.She believes her grandparents and circumstances cultivated Hafen's independent spirit.Hafen was born in Pauline, the late Edward and Edna Lee Thornton's only child. Hafen once credited her father, a Spartanburg County rural police chief during the 1940s, with helping launch her career. He told her about the job opening in the RMC office.

Hafen had been employed in the office 29 years and had been chief RMC deputy for 24 years, when she announced her candidacy for the top job in February 1976, after RMC Director J.H. “Nub” Williams announced he would not seek reelection. Hafen pledged to provide residents “the best service possible and strive for the continued improvement in the operation of their RMC Office.”Hafen beat her opponent, W.M. Garrett, by a margin of about three to one in the Democratic primary election before running against Republican Willie Maxwell in the general election, the Herald-Journal reported in June 1976.Hafen was instrumental in many changes in the office. including computerized records.Dorothy Earle now heads Spartanburg County's Office of Register of Deeds. Hafen hired Earle in 1977.Earle said Hafen ran an efficient office and wanted them to do their jobs to the best of their ability.“We did appreciate Mrs. Hafen because she taught us well,” Earle said.Hafen visited the office after retirement, even near the end of her life.Hafen, Earle said, will be missed.In an interview about her pending retirement in December 1993, Hafen had turned 70 and expressed a desire to help others while she was in good health.“I've always enjoyed my work; I'm happy here. I just had a birthday, and I realized that I want to do something for others in the respect of volunteering,” she said.

Snyder said her mother was not only a great employee, but also willing to help those in need.Snyder can't count all those who told her that Hafen helped them out and never told a soul.“She was a giving, loving person. She was a great example to me,” Snyder said.Hafen taught her independence. The ability to stand on her own two feet was a gift from her mother, Snyder said, as well as another “great gift” — faith.Hafen was a charter member of Morningside Baptist Church in Spartanburg. She joined the church the day it was founded in June 1940.Hafen loved work, singing in the church choir and bass fishing, Snyder said.“She would rather fish than eat,” Snyder said.Snyder has repeatedly heard what a character her mother was.Spartanburg attorney Wendell Cantrell has practiced law for 42 years. He met Hafen on his first trip to Spartanburg to do title work while he was in law school and working for a firm in Columbia.She was helpful and knowledgeable — about as knowledgeable as the attorneys who frequented the office.

“I always admired her as a stalwart, but kind and empathetic individual,” Cantrell said.He remembered she once brought soup to his home when he was sick.Hafen, he said, loved life.“You always got a smile from Virginia,” Cantrell said.That's what he will most remember — her smile.

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